The former 800m world record holder Lord Coe has been elected to become the new president of the IAAF, beating former pole vault Olympic champion Sergey Bubka by 115 votes to 92.

The former 1500m Olympic champion replaces Lamine Diack, the 82-year-old Senegalese who has been at the helm of the governing body for the last 16 years.

Coe took to Twitter to thank those that have backed him:

Delighted and humbled by the confidence shown in me by the IAAF family – thank you, now the hard work begins

— Seb Coe (@sebcoe) August 19, 2015

Coe and Bubka had previously been serving as Vice Chairman and Vice President respectively at the IAAF. After losing out to the former London 2012 chairman Bubka responded: “I know athletics in the future will grow and become stronger and stronger.”

Coe is expected to be appointed as a member of the IOC before next year’s Games in Rio de Janeiro and will take office on 31 August after the end of the IAAF World Championships.

“I am deeply honoured that our sport has placed its trust in me. There is no job I want to do more – nor with greater commitment,” Coe said.

Thirty-four years ago he clocked a world record for the mile in Zurich (3:48.53, Aug 19, 1981), Coe claimed his election was the “second most momentous moment in my life” behind the birth of his children. “There is no task in my life for which I have been better prepared. No job I have ever wanted to do more nor would be more committed to. Your fight is my fight.”

One of the most important points in Coe’s manifesto was setting up an independent anti-doping agency, including zero tolerance in the anti-doping fight. Following his victory, he stressed his total commitment for the position and qualities of a strong team he got in the new council.

Coe also went on the state that he wants to remain chairman of the IAAF press commission and modernisation of the competition programme.

In the vote for Vice President, Bubka received 187 votes from the available 207 memer federations. In a statement on his website he said: “First of all, I would like to congratulate Seb Coe on his campaign, which gave us great opportunities to discuss many challenges of our sport, communicate with our Member Federations, and share our vision for the future of athletics.”

“From the very bottom of my heart, I would like to thank the Member Federations, who voted for my candidacy as IAAF President as well as for my Vice-Presidency role. Thanks a lot to my family and my team who supported and assisted me throughout all these months – we’ve done a fantastic job together. I will continue to serve athletics as I’ve done during all my life in any position our Athletics family trusts me to hold. I wish good luck to the new IAAF President and remain committed to the ideas and proposals I delivered throughout my campaign.”

Steve Cram, who finished second behind Coe at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, told BBC Radio 5 live: “It’s a great result for the sport.”

“It’s not going to be easy,” added Cram, “but I think Seb’s prepared to be tough himself to hopefully make those changes.”

Many top athletes, both in the UK and overseas took to Twitter to congratulate Lord Coe.

Congratulations @sebcoe The future of our sport is in good hands.

— Paula Radcliffe (@paulajradcliffe) August 19, 2015

Thank the Lord!

— Paula Radcliffe (@paulajradcliffe) August 19, 2015

I said a few weeks ago that @sebcoe NEEDED to become the IAAF President. Delighted that he’s been elected but my first emotion was relief!

— Ross Murray (@RosscoJammin) August 19, 2015

Congrats to my favorite athlete of all time @sebcoe #IAAF #president Watch his video breaking 800m World Record: https://t.co/34kadpBtuV

— Brenda Martinez (@bmartrun) August 19, 2015